High silicon bearing dual phase steels with improved ductility

ABSTRACT

A dual phase steel (martensite+ferrite) having a tensile strength of at least 980 MPa, and a total elongation of at least 15%. The dual phase steel may have a total elongation of at least 18%. The dual phase steel may also have a tensile strength of at least 1180 MPa. The dual phase steel may include between 0.5-3.5 wt. % Si, and more preferably between 1.5-2.5 wt. % Si.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/629,757 filed Nov. 28, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dual phase (DP) steels. More specifically the present invention relates to DP steel having a high silicon content ranging between 0.5-3.5 wt. %. Most specifically the present invention relates to high Si bearing DP steels with improved ductility through water quenching continuous annealing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the use of high strength steels increases in automotive applications, there is a growing demand for steels of increased strength without sacrificing formability. Dual phase (DP) steels are a common choice because they provide a good balance of strength and ductility. As martensite volume fraction continues to increase in newly developed steels, increasing strength even further, ductility becomes a limiting factor. Silicon is an advantageous alloying element because it has been found to shift the strength-ductility curve up and to the right in DP steels. However, silicon forms oxides which can cause adhesion issues with zinc coatings, so there is pressure to minimize silicon content while achieving the required mechanical properties.

Thus, there is a need in the art for DP steels having an ultimate tensile strength greater than or equal to about 980 MPa and a total elongation of greater than or equal to about 15%.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a dual phase steel (martensite+ferrite). The dual phase steel has a tensile strength of at least 980 MPa, and a total elongation of at least 15%. The dual phase steel may have a total elongation of at least 18%. The dual phase steel may also have a tensile strength of at least 1180 MPa.

The dual phase steel may include between 0.5-3.5 wt. % Si, and more preferably between 1.5-2.5 wt. % Si. The dual phase steel may further include between 0.1-0.3 wt. % C, more preferably between 0.14-0.21 wt % C and most preferably less than 0.19 wt. % C, such as about 0.15 wt. % C. The dual phase steel may further include between 1-3 wt. % Mn, more preferably between 1.75-2.5 wt % Mn, and most preferably about 1.8-2.2 wt % Mn.

The dual phase steel may further include between 0.05-1 wt % Al, between 0.005-0.1 wt. % total of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ti, and V, and between 0-0.3 wt. % Mo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b plot TE vs TS for 0.15C-1.8Mn-0.15Mo-0.02Nb-XSi and 0.20C-1.8Mn-0.15Mo-0.02Nb-XSi for varied silicon between 1.5-2.5 wt. %;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are SEM micrographs from 0.2% C steels having similar TS of about 1300 MPa at two Si levels. 2 a at 1.5% Si and 2 b at 2.5% Si;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are SEM micrographs of hot bands at CTs of 580° C. and 620° C., respectively from which the microstructures of the steels may be discerned;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b plot the tensile properties strength (both TS and YS) and TE, respectively, as a function of annealing temperature (AT) with a Gas Jet Cool (GJC) temperature of 720° C. and an Overage (OA) temperature of 400° C.;

FIGS. 5 a-5 d are SEM micrographs of samples annealed at: 5 a=750° C., 5 b=775° C., 5 c=800° C. and 5 d=825° C., showing the microstructure of the annealed samples;

FIGS. 6 a- 6 e plot the tensile properties versus annealing temperature for the samples of Table 4A;

FIG. 6 f plots TE vs TS for the samples of Table 4A;

FIGS. 7 a- 7 e plot the tensile properties versus annealing temperature for the samples of Table 4B; and

FIG. 7 f plots TE vs TS for the samples of Table 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a family of Dual Phase (DP) microstructure (ferrite+martensite) steels. The steels have minimal to no retained austenite. The inventive steels have a unique combination of high strength and formability. The tensile properties of the present invention preferably provide for multiple steel products. One such product has an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) 980 MPa with a total elongation (TE) 18%. Another such product will have UTS 1180 MPa and TE 15%.

Broadly the alloy has a composition (in wt %) including C: 0.1-0.3; Mn: 1-3, Si: 0.5-3.5; Al: 0.05-1, optionally Mo: 0-0.3, Nb, Ti, V: 0.005-0.1 total, the remainder being iron and inevitable residuals such as S, P, and N. More preferably the carbon is in a range of 0.14-0.21 wt %, and is preferred below 0.19 wt. % for good weldability. Most preferably the carbon is about 0.15 wt % of the alloy. The manganese content is more preferably between 1.75-2.5 wt %, and most preferably about 1.8-2.2 wt %. The silicon content is more preferably between 1.5-2.5 wt %.

Examples

WQ-CAL (water quenching continuous annealing line) is utilized to produce lean chemistry based martensitic and DP grades due to its unique water quenching capability. Therefore, the present inventors have focused on DP microstructure through WQ-CAL. In DP steels, ferrite and martensite dominantly govern ductility and strength, respectively. Therefore, strengthening of both ferrite and martensite is required to achieve high strength and ductility, simultaneously. The addition of Si effectively increases the strength of ferrite and facilitates a lower fraction of martensite to be utilized to produce the same strength level. Consequently, the ductility in DP steels is enhanced. High Si bearing DP steel has therefore been chosen as the main metallurgical concept.

In order to analyze the metallurgical effects of high Si bearing DP steels, laboratory heats with various amounts of Si have been produced by vacuum induction melting. Chemical composition of the investigated steels is listed in Table 1. The first six steels are based on 0.15C-1.8Mn-0.15Mo-0.02Nb with Si content ranging from 0-2.5 wt. %. The others have 0.2% C with 1.5-2.5 wt. % Si. It should be noted that although these steels contain 0.15 wt. % Mo, Mo addition is not required to produce a DP microstructure through WQ-CAL. Thus Mo is an optional element in the alloy family of the present invention.

TABLE 1 ID C Mn Si Nb Mo Al P S N 15C0Si 0.15 1.77 0.01 0.019 0.15 0.037 0.008 0.005 0.0055 15C5Si 0.14 1.75 0.5 0.019 0.15 0.05 0.009 0.005 0.0055 15C10Si 0.15 1.77 0.98 0.019 0.15 0.049 0.009 0.004 0.0055 15C15Si 0.14 1.8 1.56 0.017 0.15 0.071 0.008 0.005 0.005 15C20Si 0.15 1.86 2.02 0.018 0.16 0.067 0.009 0.005 0.0053 15C25Si 0.14 1.86 2.5 0.018 0.16 0.075 0.008 0.005 0.0052 20C15Si 0.2 1.8 1.56 0.017 0.15 0.064 0.009 0.005 0.0061 20C20Si 0.21 1.85 1.99 0.018 0.16 0.068 0.008 0.005 0.0055 20C25Si 0.21 1.85 2.51 0.018 0.16 0.064 0.008 0.005 0.0056

After hot rolling with aim FT 870° C. and CT 580° C., both sides of the hot bands were mechanically ground to remove the decarburized layers prior to cold rolling with a reduction of about 50%. The full hard materials were annealed in a high temperature salt pot from 750 to 875° C. for 150 seconds, quickly transferred to a water tank, followed by a tempering treatment at 400/420° C. for 150 seconds. A high overaging temperature has been chosen in order to improve the hole expansion and bendability of the steels. Two JIS-T tensile tests were performed for each condition. FIGS. 1 a and 1 b plot TE vs TS for 0.15C-1.8Mn-0.15Mo-0.02Nb-XSi and 0.20C-1.8Mn-0.15Mo-0.02Nb-XSi for varied silicon between 1.5-2.5 wt %. FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show the effect of Si addition on the balance between tensile strength and total elongation. The increase in Si content clearly enhances the ductility at the same level of tensile strength in both 0.15% C and 0.20% C steels. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are SEM micrographs from 0.2% C steels having similar TS of about 1300 MPa at two Si levels. 2 a at 1.5 wt. % Si and 2 b at 2.5 wt % Si. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b confirm that higher Si has more ferrite fraction at a similar level of tensile strength (TS about 1300 MPa). In addition, XRD results reveal no retained austenite in the annealed steels resulting in no TRIP effect by adding Si.

Annealing Properties of 2.5% Si Bearing Steel

Since 0.2% C steel with 2.5 wt. % Si achieves useful tensile properties, as shown in FIG. 1, further analysis of 0.2 wt. % C and 2.5 wt % Si steel was performed.

Hot/Cold Rolling

Two hot rolling schedules with different coiling temperatures (CT) of 580 and 620° C. and the same aim finishing temperature (FT) of 870° C. have been conducted using a 0.2 wt. % C and 2.5 wt. % Si steel. Tensile properties of the generated hot bands are summarized in Table 2. Higher CT produces higher YS, lower TS and better ductility. Lower CT promotes the formation of bainite (bainitic ferrite) resulting in lower YS, higher TS and lower TE. However, the main microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite at both CTs. FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are SEM micrographs of hot bands at CTs of 580° C. and 620° C., respectively from which the microstructures of the steels may be discerned. There is no major issue for cold mill load since both CTs have lower strength than GA DP T980. In addition, Mo addition is not required to produce DP microstructure with WQ-CAL. The composition without Mo will soften hot band strength in all ranges of CT. After mechanical grinding to remove the decarburized layers, the hot bands were cold rolled by about 50% on the laboratory cold mill.

TABLE 2 Grade CT, ° C. YS, Mpa TS, Mpa UE, % TE, % YPE, % 0.2C—1.8Mn—2.5Si—0.15Mo—0.02Nb 580 451 860 9.9 17.7 0 620 661 818 14.7 22.3 3.3

Annealing

Annealing simulations were performed on full hard steels produced from hot bands with CT 620° C., using salt pots. The full hard materials were annealed at various temperatures from 775 to 825° C. for 150 seconds, followed by a treatment at 720° C. for 50 seconds to simulate gas jet cooling and then quickly water quenched. The quenched samples were subsequently overaged at 400° C. for 150 seconds. High OAT of 400° C. was chosen to improve hole expansion and bendability. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b plot the tensile properties strength (both TS and YS) and TE, respectively, as a function of annealing temperature (AT) with a Gas Jet Cool (GJC) temperature of 720° C. and an Overage (OA) temperature of 400° C. Both YS and TS increase with AT at the cost of TE. An annealing temperature of 800° C. with GJC 720° C. and OAT 400° C. can produce steel with a YS of about 950 MPa, TS of about 1250 MPa and TE of about 16%. It should be noted that this composition can produce multiple grades of steel at varying TS level from 980 to 1270 MPa: 1) YS=800 MPa, TS=1080 MPa and TE=20%; and 2) YS=1040 MPa, TS=1310 MPa, and TE=15% (see Table 3). FIGS. 5 a-5 d are SEM micrographs of samples annealed at: 5 a=750° C., 5 b=775° C., 5 c=800° C. and 5 d=825° C., showing the microstructure of the annealed samples. The sample annealed at AT 750° C. still contains undissolved cementites in a fully recrystallized ferrite matrix resulting in high TE and YPE. Starting from AT 775° C., it produces a dual phase microstructure of ferrite and tempered martensite. The sample processed at AT 800° C. contains a martensite fraction of about 40% and exhibits a TS of about 1180 MPa; similar to current industrial DP steel with TS of 980 with lower Si content that also contains about 40% martensite. A potential combination of higher TS and TE in high Si DP steels processed at AT of 825° C. and higher can be expected. Hole expansion (HE) and 90° free V bend tests were performed on the samples annealed at 800° C. Hole expansion and bend ability demonstrated average 22% (std. dev. of 3% and based on 4 tests) and 1.1 r/t, respectively.

TABLE 3 AT, Gauge, YS, TS, UE, TE, YPE, ° C. mm MPa MPa % % % 725 1.5 698 814 15.3 25 4.6 725 1.5 712 819 14.9 24 5 750 1.5 664 797 15.8 26.5 4.2 750 1.5 650 790 15.1 27.2 2.7 775 1.5 808 1074 13 20.3 0 775 1.5 803 1091 12.5 20.1 0.3 800 1.5 952 1242 9.7 16.5 2.4 800 1.5 959 1250 9 15.8 0 825 1.5 1038 1307 8.3 14.8 0 825 1.5 1034 1314 8.4 15.1 0

Table 4A presents the tensile properties of alloys of the present invention having the basic formula 0.15C-1.8Mn-Si-0.02Nb-0.15Mo, with varied Si between 1.5-2.5 wt. %. The cold rolled alloy sheets were annealed at varied temperatures between 750-900° C. and overage treated at 200° C.

Table 4B presents the tensile properties of alloys of the present invention having the basic formula 0.15C-1.8Mn-Si-0.02Nb-0.15Mo, with varied Si between 1.5-2.5 wt. %. The cold rolled alloy sheets were annealed at varied temperatures between 750-900° C. and overage treated at 420° C.

FIGS. 6 a- 6 e plot the tensile properties versus annealing temperature for the samples of Table 4A. FIG. 6 f plots TE vs TS for the samples of Table 4A.

FIGS. 7 a- 7 e plot the tensile properties versus annealing temperature for the samples of Table 4B. FIG. 7 f plots TE vs TS for the samples of Table 4B.

As can be seen, the strength (both TS and YS) increase with increasing annealing temperature for both 200 and 420° C. overaging temperature. Also, the elongation (both TE and UE) decrease with increasing annealing temperature for both 200 and 420° C. overaging temperature. On the other hand, the Hole Expansion (HE) does not seem to be affected in any discernable way by annealing temperature, but the increase in the OA temperature seems to raise the average HE somewhat. Finally, the different OA temperatures do not seem to have any effect on the plots of TE vs TS.

It is to be understood that the disclosure set forth herein is presented in the form of detailed embodiments described for the purpose of making a full and complete disclosure of the present invention, and that such details are not to be interpreted as limiting the true scope of this invention as set forth and defined in the appended claims.

TABLE 4A AT, OAT, Serial Si C. C. Gauge YS0.2 TS UE TE 301469 1.5 750 200 1.45 522 1032 11.7 16.9 301470 1.5 750 200 1.47 524 1021 11.6 17.2 300843 1.5 775 200 1.50 643 1184 8.8 13.7 300844 1.5 775 200 1.52 630 1166 8.9 13.5 300487 1.5 800 200 1.46 688 1197 7.7 11.8 300488 1.5 800 200 1.46 675 1195 7.9 13.8 300505 1.5 825 200 1.51 765 1271 7.7 12.4 300506 1.5 825 200 1.47 781 1269 7.1 12.0 300493 1.5 850 200 1.48 927 1333 5.7 9.9 300494 1.5 850 200 1.44 970 1319 5.2 8.6 300511 1.5 875 200 1.50 1066 1387 4.7 8.9 300512 1.5 875 200 1.50 1075 1373 4.6 9.0 301471 2 750 200 1.54 532 1056 13.1 19.5 301472 2 750 200 1.56 543 1062 12.6 19.2 300845 2 775 200 1.53 606 1173 10.3 16.1 300846 2 775 200 1.57 595 1148 10.3 15.9 300489 2 800 200 1.40 623 1180 9.2 13.2 300490 2 800 200 1.37 629 1186 9.6 14.7 300507 2 825 200 1.41 703 1268 8.4 13.2 300508 2 825 200 1.42 695 1265 8.7 13.2 300495 2 850 200 1.40 748 1257 6.4 10.7 300496 2 850 200 1.40 779 1272 7.4 12.0 300513 2 875 200 1.37 978 1366 5.7 9.0 300514 2 875 200 1.41 956 1335 4.9 8.4 301473 2.5 750 200 1.67 476 809 14.1 21.8 301474 2.5 750 200 1.45 481 807 12.6 19.9 300491 2.5 800 200 1.41 605 1168 10.2 15.3 300492 2.5 800 200 1.46 624 1184 10.6 16.6 300509 2.5 825 200 1.44 657 1237 9.2 14.3 300510 2.5 825 200 1.45 652 1235 9.9 15.8 300497 2.5 850 200 1.40 690 1245 9.3 15.0 300498 2.5 850 200 1.42 684 1233 8.9 14.6 300515 2.5 875 200 1.47 796 1285 7.6 12.8 300516 2.5 875 200 1.46 812 1305 6.2 9.6 300847 2.5 900 200 1.45 860 1347 7.2 12.3 300848 2.5 900 200 1.42 858 1347 6.9 11.6

TABLE 4B AT, OAT, Serial Si C. C. Gauge YS0.2 TS UE TE 301451 1.5 750 420 1.57 780 976 11.0 19.7 301452 1.5 750 420 1.55 778 980 10.4 19.6 301453 1.5 775 420 1.42 868 1045 8.9 16.2 301454 1.5 775 420 1.44 834 1033 9.1 16.7 301455 1.5 800 420 1.44 989 1133 5.2 13.1 301456 1.5 800 420 1.42 1007 1135 5.2 13.2 301031 1.5 825 420 1.46 1060 1155 5.4 12.2 301032 1.5 825 420 1.46 1060 1146 5.5 12.1 301457 2 775 420 1.52 855 1065 9.8 17.3 301458 2 775 420 1.52 855 1068 10.3 19.4 301459 2 800 420 1.56 954 1120 8.7 17.2 301460 2 800 420 1.55 954 1118 8.7 15.6 301461 2 825 420 1.53 1043 1175 5.2 14.5 301462 2 825 420 1.54 1062 1184 5.2 16.4 301033 2 850 420 1.40 1111 1186 5.7 10.4 301034 2 850 420 1.37 1112 1194 5.8 11.1 301463 2.5 800 420 1.53 906 1118 9.6 17.6 301464 2.5 800 420 1.55 896 1097 9.7 17.5 301465 2.5 825 420 1.67 991 1154 8.3 15.7 301466 2.5 825 420 1.66 983 1147 8.8 16.6 301467 2.5 850 420 1.55 1071 1189 7.9 13.8 301468 2.5 850 420 1.54 1064 1183 7.8 13.1 301035 2.5 875 420 1.41 1120 1217 5.8 13.9 301036 2.5 875 420 1.46 1132 1225 6.0 13.7 

What is claimed:
 1. A dual phase steel, said steel having a tensile strength of at least 980 MPa, and a total elongation of at least 15%.
 2. The dual phase steel of claim 1, wherein said steel has a total elongation of at least 18%.
 3. The dual phase steel of claim 1, wherein said steel has a tensile strength of at least 1180 MPa.
 4. The dual phase steel of claim 1, wherein said steel includes between 0.5-3.5 wt. % Si.
 5. The dual phase steel of claim 4, wherein said steel includes between 1.5-2.5 wt. % Si.
 6. The dual phase steel of claim 5, wherein said steel further includes between 0.1-0.3 wt. % C.
 7. The dual phase steel of claim 6, wherein said steel includes between 0.14-0.21 wt % C.
 8. The dual phase steel of claim 7, wherein said steel includes less than 0.19 wt. % C.
 9. The dual phase steel of claim 7, wherein said steel includes about 0.15 wt. % C.
 10. The dual phase steel of claim 6, wherein said steel further includes between 1-3 wt. % Mn.
 11. The dual phase steel of claim 10, wherein said steel includes between 1.75-2.5 wt % Mn.
 12. The dual phase steel of claim 11, wherein said steel includes about 1.8-2.2 wt % Mn.
 13. The dual phase steel of claim 10, wherein said steel further includes between 0.05-1 wt % Al.
 14. The dual phase steel of claim 13, wherein said steel further includes between 0.005-0.1 wt. % total of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Nb, Ti, and V.
 15. The dual phase steel of claim 10, wherein said steel further includes between 0-0.3 wt. % Mo. 